Odeliza Life of a US Expat in South America

Mahalo Chicos,

What a wondrous and spectacular site. Tall mountains, green grass, and an ancient civilization that once thrived perched on the highest mountain top in Peru. The town or-rather-summer home to the wealthy and elite of the older days- Machu Pichu.

As we walked the tour our tour guide spoke of stories of how such an awesome city was built and how their residence thrived and survived until they were no more.

It was romantic, sad, and astonishing all at the same time. Not that many people have the opportunity to visit this ‘man made wonder of the world’, but for those that have and do, its a memory that should not be taken for granted.

And so ends my journey and my other half and I are on ‘red eye’ back to Uruguay. I will take what I experienced and always remember it with gratitude for the rest of my life.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

Our train ride to Agua’s Calente-which is a short bus ride to Machu Pichu- is our next leg of the journey to reach Machu Pichu. Although the actual train ride its self took four hours to get there and seven grueling hours to get back it was worth the trip.

We were seated at the Vista Dome section-where one can view the landscape and jungle-. Considering the actual movement of the train ride, I did pretty well. 

The waiters provided drinks and snacks. We tried to stay on our vegetarian diets so we opted out of the ham and cheese, but took tea instead.

The views of the water were spectacular. Considering the temperature must have been freezing, it looked cool and inviting. The rock formations were also amazing- its as if it were a pretty painted picture-.

Once we arrived at Agua’s Calente we were directed to walk through the numerous amounts of merchant stands and then await to ride a bus to Machu Pichu. It only took a mere ten mintues or so to get to the top of Machu Pichu. I’ve heard from some people that the bus ride is dangerous and frightening. As for me, I did not have a care in the world as my eyes were set on Machu Pich-one of the greatest man made wonders of the world-.

As soon as I saw peek of Machu Pichu my stomache started to do jumps. I could not believe that my other half and I were share this moment together. It was wonderful.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Mahalo Chicos,  The thing about ‘group’ tours or rather ‘group rates’ is that everyone has to wake up at the same time and leave at the same time together. And sometimes waking up at four in the morning is not such a wonderful thing.   This leg of our journey, a flight to Cuzso, Peru-which is a small town about four hours train ride to Machu Pichu-. The bus ride to the airport opted us the chance to view the coast, which was beautiful and dangerous at the same time. There were a few surfers and judging from the breaks it was a great day to surf. Though I did not schedule time for surfing we still enjoyed watching the surfers catch waves.  Cobble stones are cute and vintage, but riding in a tour bus, let alone driving ‘Miss Daisy’ is a bad combination. Luckily for me and the rest of the group, I was drugged to the max of motion sickness pills. Funny, I felt the jostles and bumps, but I was so lost in euphoria that I did not care.  

When we arrived at the airport it was crazy. So many tourists of all languages running around with their heads cut off. No organization what so ever. The lines to check in baggage were choppy and the automatic check in, well, it was confusing just all around. One area you check in and then another area you check your bags. But none of the airport personnel would bother to inform people that. You’d have to figure it out for yourself.  Two hours from Lime to Cuzco. The flight was rather smooth and this time I sat sandwiched between a Peruvian man and my other half. So it was rather, a half sandwich. 

As soon as we touched down Cuzco we collected our checked in luggage. It took a while maybe twenty minutes and more hustle and bustle, but we got threw it okay.  As I was waiting for my other half to find our luggage, I noticed the airport offered ‘free oxygen’. Which I thought was rather weird. I mean I understand that Machu Pichu is at a high altitude and that people traveling there could very well get altitude sickness, but the ‘free oxygen’ sign was a bit much. Oh, and the line of people waiting to get their ‘hit’ of ‘free oxygen’ was way too much.    Once we got out of the hustle both my other half and I were on the look out for our tour guide. I was quick to see board with my other half’s name written on it and was so relieved to get out of the airport.  Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba    

Mahalo Chicos, 

Getting to Lima, Peru was the tough part of our flight but once we unwound in our hotel things got a bit easier. We are currently staying at Mirafores Colon Hotel, which is ranked at four stars, but I would give 3.5 stars instead. The customer service is great, but the rooms are rather old and creaky, their buffet breakfast offer simple scrambled eggs, fruits, breads, and some potatoes, internet connection in the rooms-which was one of my top’s-, and jetted tub, but was not very user friendly, so we could not figure it out or it was just poor design. I go for poor design. The rooms are suppose to be non-smoking, but it seems to me that that is overlooked especially in the lobby area.   Our hotel in Lima-Colon Hotel-is within walking distance to the pier. The pier surprised me because it was impeccably clean, the scenery of the pacific waters gorgeous, and the choices of hunts to eat were broad.   The pier stretched out at least three miles a distance one can trot with their love ones and love one puppy. But the only thing that is stopping you from falling of rocky cliffs and onto the cold pacific water is make shift wooden sticks.   There are three floors to the actual pier; the park, the foods, and the shopping areas. Just to name a few surprisingly stationed eats; Hooters, Tony Ramous, and Dunk and Doughnuts. We opted for Japanese food because I adore this cuisine and we heard from the locals that the fish is fresh and great. The Japanese restaurant did not disappoint me. The service was great, our waiter did not speak English very well, but luckily my Spanish has improved and we got what we ordered.  After we ate, we decided to check out the Ancient Gold Museum which boasts original gold artifacts found at Machu Pichu and other areas of

Peru. Once we paid our fee we were lead to an area of ‘Post Card’ viewing. Actually, it is an ‘Art Showing’ of post cards I did not get a sense of the purpose other than,

Peru in and of its self is a popular place to visit. I took a few pictures of some that I thought were interesting.  Then we were directed to go to the Ancient Gold viewing. The security guard handed us two head phones attached with listening devices. Our tour of the Ancient Gold of Peru began with the ‘electronic story teller’ describing how the Peruvians made their gold, silver, and other precious metal. First it was thought by Europeans that the metal making was barbaric because they’d use actual living beings such as babies to cast molds. And that the ancient Peruvians used a large caldron to melt the gold while blowing the fire. This soon proved to be false as the ancient Peruvians had much more simple means that worked with their natural surroundings.   After a wonderful date night of Japanese food and a museum visit we headed back to our hotel and called in a night.  

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba       

Mahalo Chicos,

In route to Peru. I must say, though I absolutely adore traveling and experiencing new cultures and places, I absolutely despise the ‘travel’ aspect of it. Whether I am in Business class or Economy Class its still comes down to the immigration line, security checks, and baggage claims, oh and not to mention the howards and howards of taxi solicitors.

I tried my best to make a day per say of the traveling, but there is nothing really romantic or enticing about it. Not to mention my terrible motion sickness and my really tall other’s halfs rest less legg issue. Its just all around suck a rama.

Our first lay over was Chile. We’ve been to Chile before actually. We were suppose to stay in Chile for a month last year in January, but ended up cutting it short to a week. Yeah. It sucked. The customer service even at the most finest hotels-which we lodged in- was beyond terrible. If I was to rate them from one to ten being the highest Chile’s customer service level all around is a zero. Bad.

Second time around- just in- the Chilean airport was bad. I almost kicked my waiter in the face for laughing at the fact she and co-worker took my order wrong. Of course being the persons that I am, I called her out on it and did not make a big scene. Other than a couple sitting a table across from us shaking their heads and rolling their eyes at her and giving me a look of pitty. 

Wow. 

Our travel agent specifically ordered a lacto ovo vegetarian meal and we did not get any of those from LAN Chile. I am not surprised since its a Chilean airlanes, efficiency and customer service is definently low on my raking scale when it comes to Chile in general. Which is a waste since we have a ten year visa in Chile.

I just don’t want to go back. Add another salt to the wound to Chile are the wonderful places we could visit and explore there. But do I really want to have a scowl on my face the whole time my other half and I are there? Do I really want to spend any of my money in Chile?

Nah…

We finally arrive in Peru one hour close to mid-night and as I’ve said before, the immigration and security check lines just suck. Peru has this system where one would press and button and if said button blinks green one would not have to get personal belongings rifled through red and you do and you guessed it, I did. Of course not so happy about that.

I picked out my other half’s name sign right away and was so happy to leave any signs of an airport, but we had to wait for two other people. I was not too happy about that and our tour guide had the hint.

Gee you think?

We did not pay to wait we paid to get going. Okay, now that I am reading back on this post I can see how much negative yapping I am doing and should stop right about now until I have other nicer things to say.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

Midori-our golden Labrador- senses something is a mist in our household. She is barking and jumping up and down as she sees our luggage packed and she has no sense as to where we are going. All she seems to display is she does not want to be left behind.

She is constantly guarding the front door and making whining sounds left and right. Poor thing. We continue to reassure her that we will be back and, Rita-our house sitter- will take good care of her. Plus, Felipe-her dog trainer-will be in to take her on her long four hour trots with the rest of her pack. So I hope that part of her weekly routine will help her if she starts to miss us. 

But she keeps whining and it’s making me worried. Maybe she has a six sense that things won’t go right… Nah! She just wants to come along for the ride. We’d take her to Peru if we could, but it’s just a short holiday and we really don’t want to put her through the rigours of traveling.

Anyways, off to Machu Pichu we go… And I am stoked to visit one of the man made wonders of the world. Rain or shine, I will just be happy to be given the opportunity to visit Peru.

It’s suggested that travellers stay one night before heading of to the famous ancient ruins. This is to get the traveller accustomed to the high altitudes. We are also suggested to chew on ‘coco leaves’; to prevent headaches and dizziness. We’ll we will just see about that.

I intend on bringing my trusted laptop along for the journey, so that I can share with my readers our experiences.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza  

Mahalo Chicos,

Every now and then I get engulfed with these dark and lonely feelings. Especially when mother nature decides it’s time to take a break from the sun. A little back ground about me; I am nomad by nature and by up bringing, never really have one home to call ‘my home’. But I’ve learned very slowly that no matter what country I am in or where I call my bed, my home is where my most treasured treasures are be. These are the people and things I love.

I love my cook where and spices -bought from around the globe-to help me remember my visits there-and I really adore my babbles and enjoy the shine of garnet, Citroen, silver, diamonds, and gold. Material possession, but there is an attachment of people, places, and experiences to these small possessions of mine.

However, with all the things I own, none can every compare to my love ones. My beautiful golden lab-Midori- whom grows so much and learns how to compose her self in an adult dog manner. And there are my new and dear friends-though I could only count them in one hand- they are there for me-even though we may have language barriers-I know I could always count on them for advice and sisterly love.

Nothing could take that feeling of an empty space more than my other half. He is my strength, my best friend, and my mentor. Words could not describe how much my heart and soul adores and loves that man. Even though sometimes I want to throw something at him. 

All these components of my life now, are my home. If taken away from me,  I know I would be alone again and that feeling of dark and lone emptiness would fill what was once there. But I also know that I am resilient and in side of me my home always lays.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza